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Egg Harbor Township officials, law enforcement urge governor to deny clemency for 2006 shooter
Summary
Township leaders, the police chief and the Atlantic County sheriff told the Egg Harbor Township Committee they oppose an application for executive clemency by the man convicted in a 2006 attack that wounded three officers, and said they will send letters and a petition to the governor’s office.
Egg Harbor Township Committee members, the township police chief and Atlantic County Sheriff O'Donohue urged Governor Murphy to deny a clemency request by the man convicted in the 2006 attack that wounded three police officers.
Committee members and law enforcement said the offender’s appeals were exhausted and that the community and victims would be revictimized by any leniency. Chief (name not stated) said he organized a departmentwide petition and a letter "strong and unequivocal opposition to any consideration of clemency for the offender" that will be sent to the governor's office. He read the department's statement aloud during the public meeting and described the 2006 attack and its aftermath.
The request for clemency has prompted broad local opposition because of the nature of the crime and the injuries to officers. The chief said the petition includes signatures from all members of the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, not just sworn officers or professional staff, to show "solidarity and unity in opposition." The chief read sections of the letter that described the defendant’s convictions and the department’s view that the offender has shown "no remorse" and that a campaign to free him was spreading misinformation about the night of the attack.
Sheriff O'Donohue told the committee he had been following public comments about the clemency request and said the county sheriff's office also opposes it. "To allow this to go unanswered, for us to stand by and to allow people to say he should be set free after shooting and permanently disabling one of our officers is unacceptable," he said. The sheriff added, "I am absolutely, I'll say it. I'm angry as hell. I am." He asked the township to send a formal letter of support for denying clemency.
Committee members volunteered to assist in delivering opposition materials. One committee member said he would hand-deliver the packet to the governor's office and others discussed ensuring the mailing is stamped and received before any deadline. The chief said the department believes this is the offender's first clemency attempt after exhausting appeals and that the matter needs an immediate, organized response.
No formal resolution or roll-call vote was taken at the meeting; the record shows consensus among members present and law enforcement leaders to prepare and send letters and a petition opposing clemency. The committee also discussed public comments and a letter from retired Chief John Coyle supporting the opposition.
The petition and letters were described as being prepared for delivery to the governor's office "late this week or early next week," and committee members planned coordinated delivery and electronic distribution via the township's social media.
The township's public discussion on the clemency request occurred during the meeting's law-enforcement appreciation segment and public-comment periods; the committee later confirmed the matter would be followed up but did not adopt a formal ordinance or resolution on the record.
